Synthesis:<\/b><\/p>\n
With the rapid population increase of AAPIs, especially Pacific Islanders, more awareness has been spread over the past few years about the prevalence of AAPIs\u2019 needs regarding education. Two articles, \u201cPacific Islanders: A Misclassified People\u201d and \u201cWhite House Briefing on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders\u201d gives us examples of initiatives that have been trying to do this.<\/p>\n
The first article discusses how many Pacific Islander youth face the reality of being a \u201cminority\u201d while also being denied access to resources intended to level the playing field, such as scholarships designated for underrepresented minorities. Pacific Islanders are half as likely as the general population to hold a Bachelor\u2019s degree, and Asian Americans are three times as likely as Pacific Islanders to hold a Bachelor\u2019s degree. A research study showed that when the lack of scholarship opportunities available for low-income immigrant Pacific Islanders were made aware to different organizations that misclassified the Pacific Islander group, many changed their policies.38<\/sup><\/p>\n The second article discusses a briefing that was held at the White House on the strengths and challenges of AAPI communities. The briefing worked to dispel myths, and emphasized the need to improve health care for AAPIs (half of the one million people with chronic Hepatitis B are AAPIs) and to provide equal access to government worker\u2019s programs and services. They also called for an increased access to federal educational opportunities and more support for AAPI-serving colleges and universities. This was particularly emphasized because nearly 50% of AAPIs attend community colleges, so increased access to 4-year colleges and universities is crucial.39<\/sup><\/p>\n Both articles emphasize the need to raise awareness about AAPIs, especially regarding higher education. They acknowledge the challenges that members of the AAPI community face, and provide possible initiatives that can be carried out to address\u00a0them.<\/p>\n Links to Articles:<\/strong><\/p>\n Pacific Islanders: A Misclassified People<\/a>, by Kawika Riley38<\/sup><\/p>\n
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